Reports on the widespread presence of plastic particles in the environment have raised concerns about whether these particles could be taken up by plants and end up on our plates. An experimental study now reveals a mechanism through which nanoplastics can make their way into plant roots.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Relevant articles
Open Access articles citing this article.
-
Plastics can be used more sustainably in agriculture
Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 25 September 2023
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$29.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$119.00 per year
only $9.92 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Brahney, J., Hallerud, M., Heim, E., Hahnenberger, M. & Sukumaran, S. Science 368, 1257–1260 (2020).
Nizzetto, L., Futter, M. & Langaas, S. Environ. Sci. Technol. 50, 10777–10779 (2016).
Li, L. et al. Nat. Sustain. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0567-9 (2020).
Bläsing, M. & Amelung, W. Sci. Total Environ. 612, 422–435 (2018).
Weithmann, N. et al. Sci. Adv. 4, eaap8060 (2018).
Corradini, F. et al. Sci. Total Environ. 671, 411–420 (2019).
Rochman, C. M. & Hoellein, T. Science 368, 1184–1185 (2020).
Rillig, M. C., Lehmann, A., de Souza Machado, A. A. & Yang, G. New Phytol. 223, 1066–1070 (2019).
Rochman, C. M. et al. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 38, 703–711 (2019).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rillig, M.C. Plastic and plants. Nat Sustain 3, 887–888 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0583-9
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0583-9
This article is cited by
-
Plastics can be used more sustainably in agriculture
Communications Earth & Environment (2023)
-
Micro(nano)plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystem: emphasis on impacts of polystyrene on soil biota, plants, animals, and humans
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2023)
-
The United Nations General Assembly Passes Historic Resolution to Beat Plastic Pollution
Anthropocene Science (2022)